Newborn JaundiceNewborn Jaundice is a common condition in babies

Why do babies have jaundice?

After birth, babies do not need so many red blood cells as in foetal stage. These red blood cells are broken down and bilirubin is released in the blood. The newborn babies‛ liver is not mature enough to handle the extra bilirubin, thus causes building-up of bilirubin in their blood.

that causes yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. It is caused by an increase in a natural

substance called bilirubin in blood.

Online version

When will jaundice appear and go away?

Jaundice usually appears on the second or third day of life and it takes about two to three weeks to subside when their liver is more effective at processing bilirubin.

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Can jaundice harm my baby?Newborn Jaundice is not a serious problem in most healthy babies. However, very high bilirubin levels can be dangerous and can cause brain damage in some babies.

Some babies have a greater risk for high levels of bilirubin:

Are born before full term

Are not feeding well

Have Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase defi ciency

Have a different blood group from mother

Have an infection

What can I do if my baby has jaundice?Ensure your baby has adequate feed-ing to prevent dehydration. You can tell from the amount of urine and stool your baby passed in a day.

As bilirubin level may go up in fi rst few days of life, bring baby to Maternal and Child Health Centre or your Family doctor/ paediatrician for assessment soon after discharge from hospital.The doctor will monitor the baby‛s situation. If neces-sary, babies will be referred to hospital for treatment.

(For details, please refer to the section “Guide to Bottle Feeding: Is my baby getting enough to eat” in this booklet.)

Does jaundice need any treatment?

Can sunbathing help reducing jaundice?

If my baby has jaundice, can I continue

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Can jaundice harm my baby?

What can I do if my baby has jaundice?

Does jaundice need any treatment?Most jaundiced babies do not require treatment. Jaundice will go away by itself as babies‛ livers mature.If the bilirubin level is very high or increases very quickly, your baby will need phototherapy in hospital.

Can sunbathing help reducing jaundice?Sunbathing is not an appropriate method to treat neonatal jaundice. Treatment for jaundice should be under medical supervision.

If my baby has jaundice, can I continue

You can continue breastfeeding your baby. All new-born babies may develop jaundice no matter breast-fed or formula-fed.

Provided your baby has enough breastmilk, as re-fl ected by adequate amount of urine and stool as well as normal weight gain, there is no need to stop breast-feeding or add formula milk.(For details, please refer to the section “Breastfeeding: How do you know your baby is getting enough milk?” in this booklet.)

Jaundice of some breastfed babies may persist slightly longer and usually subside within two to three months. This is called “Breastmilk jaundice” which is mild and does not cause any harm to baby‛s health. It is not necessary to change to formula milk.

breastfeeding my baby?

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FHS-CH5A (Reprinted Jun 2019 )

Baby may need to be referred to Paediatric specialists for further examinations to rule out liver or biliary problems.

If jaundice persists beyond two to three weeks or baby‛s stool turns pale, bring baby for early medical consultation or back Maternal and Child Health Centre for check-up.

What is Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) defi ciency? How do I know if my baby

G6PD defi ciency is an inherited condition.

When babies with G6PD defi ciency are exposed to Fava beans, certain drugs or Chinese herbal medicines, Naph-thalene-containing products etc., large amount of red blood cells will break down resulting in severe jaundice.

h� ps://www.dh.gov.hk/english/main/main_cgs/fi les/DH2289E%20G6PD%20English.pdf

Babies born in public hospitals of Hong Kong have umbili-cal cord blood tests for G6PD defi ciency. Parents will be informed, usually before discharge from the hospital, if the baby is detected to have G6PD defi ciency.

The jaundice of my baby doesn‛t go away, what can I do?

has G6PD defi ciency?

For details, please refer to the leafl et of the Genetic Screening Unit, Clinical Genetic Service of the Depart-ment of Health

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